Research published this week in Nature Communications suggests that a new treatment approach could significantly improve survival rates for people with BRCA altered breast cancers.
The research, which was led by Addenbrooke’s Hospital and funded by Cancer Research UK and AstraZeneca, trialled a treatment schedule combining chemotherapy and olaparib – a PARP inhibitor – with the olaparib given 48 hours after the chemotherapy.
Introducing the treatment gap could reduce the side effects that can happen when PARP inhibitors and chemotherapy are given at the same time, and this approach proved to be just as effective for destroying breast tumours. Survival was also improved for people given the treatment gap compared to those receiving chemotherapy on its own, and chemotherapy given at the same time as olaparib.
Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“These exciting, early-stage results demonstrate the effectiveness of olaparib – a hugely important drug that targets cancer’s genetic weaknesses. Future research is needed but this work suggests that olaparib can be boosted when used in combination with chemotherapy. And introducing a gap between chemotherapy and olaparib could also reduce side effects, offering hope for a more effective and kinder way to treat BRCA changed breast cancers.
“Thanks to research, more people are surviving breast cancer than ever before, but current treatments can carry wide-ranging side effects that may be traumatic, painful and impact the quality of life for people undergoing treatment and their loved ones. Breast Cancer Now researchers are working hard to find smarter, kinder treatments, which can benefit people without robbing them of their quality of life.
“Anyone with questions or concerns about breast cancer can speak to Breast Cancer Now’s expert nurses by calling our free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000.”